Sharks’ DeBoer before Game 1: ‘We’re not changing anything’

Updated 11:32 am, Monday, May 30, 2016

PITTSBURGH — Sharks coach Peter DeBoer has spent the last 48 hours leading up to Monday’s Game 1 answering questions about what the Sharks are going to do about Sidney Crosby and Co.

His answer doesn’t change, just as it didn’t waiver when asked in earlier rounds about the challenges Los Angeles, Nashville and St. Louis posed.

“We’re not changing anything regardless who we’re playing, the schedule, what point of the season we’re at, we’re going to play the same way, the same game that we’ve played the entire year and the entire playoffs,” DeBoer said.

No changes: It would appear from Monday’s morning skate that injured left wing Matt Nieto will miss his 12th straight playoff game. He hurt himself midway through Game 6 against Nashville on May 9 when he went crashing into the net with his upper body.

While Jones has started all season for San Jose, Murray has started 15 playoff games after appearing in only 13 during the regular season. A late-season concussion sustained by veteran Marc-Andre Fleury necessitated the change in the Pittsburgh goal.

Photo: Justin K. Aller, Getty Images

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PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 29: Head coach Peter DeBoer addresses the media during the NHL Stanley Cup Final Media Day at Consol Energy Center on May 29, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) less

PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 29: Head coach Peter DeBoer addresses the media during the NHL Stanley Cup Final Media Day at Consol Energy Center on May 29, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. ... more

Photo: Justin K. Aller, Getty Images

Sharks’ DeBoer before Game 1: ‘We’re not changing anything’

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Murray has held his own, going 11-4 with a 2.21 goals-against average and .924 save percentage in addition to posting one shutout. Jones is 12-6 with a 2.12 GAA and .919 save percentage.

How rare is it that two inexperienced goalies find themselves opposing one another in the finals?

“It is pretty incredible with the experience these two guys have,” DeBoer said. “I think they’re special, I don’t think you’re going to see it yearly. It’s rare, but there’ve been many instances in the history of hockey when a young goaltender has led his team to a Stanley Cup.”

The 26-year-old Jones did provide back up forJonathan Quick during the Kings’ 2014 Cup run, and he has hardly displayed the look of an inexperienced netminder throughout the season, his first as an everyday starter in the NHL.

“I think it’s all belief when guys go in the room and talk to Martin Jones, and play in front of him,” DeBoer said. “They don’t look at him like he’s a rookie, a 22-year-old or anyone who’s played a limited number of games. They look at him as a seasoned veteran because he carries himself that way.”

International honor: Sharks teammates are happy for defenseman Brent Burns and centerJoe Thornton getting named late last week to Team Canada’s final roster for the World Cup of Hockey tournament slated for Sept. 17-Oct. 1.

“It’s great news, obviously. They deserve it,” said Sharks captain Joe Pavelski, who is a member of rival Team USA. “They’ve been big parts here, it’s good to see them get recognized for that. The way they play we expected that and we’re happy for them.”